adminDynamos crashed to their heaviest defeat in the Champions League when holders and Tunisian giants Esperance thrashed them 6-0 in a second round, first leg tie in Tunis in April.
DeMbare could only manage a 1-1 draw at Rufaro to end their flirtation with the 2012 Champions League.
But with teams that get knocked out of the Champions League at the second round stage dropping into the second tier Confederation Cup, it meant Callisto Pasuwa’s men would remain on the continental games’ radar.
For Murape, playing in the Confederation Cup presents Dynamos with a big chance to redeem their lost pride.
The seasoned Dynamos midfielder, Murape Murape who has been sitting out at sessions during the week is expected to bounce back to training this afternoon as Dynamos prepare for a Caf Confederation Cup mini-league playoff against Interclube of Angola.
Murape was injured during a training session at Raylton last week and missed the league clash against Gunners at Lafarge on Sunday.
Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa was forced to throw in Tichaona Mabvura in midfield before introducing Leeroy Murape as some of the senior players are injured.
Gritty midfielder Milton Makopa has been battling to shake off an injury while Wonder Sithole is also sidelined.
Sithole is not registered for the continental competitions.
Dynamos have also been boosted by the availability of central defender Guthrie Zhokinyi who had been serving a four-match suspension from the Caf competitions.
But it is the likely return to action of the inspirational Murape that could motivate the Harare giants’ camp as they seek to secure a place in the mini-league of the second tier Caf competition.
“I had not been training all along because of the injury.
“At the moment I have almost recovered and could resume training tomorrow (today),” said Murape.
Murape, the 2007 Soccer Star of the Year, said he picked the injury during training.
“I was practising some long range shots when I pulled a muscle.
“It’s a strain on the hamstring.
“I could have trained today (yesterday) but decided against rushing and should be back tomorrow (today).
“We should be playing for a win against Interclube at all costs,” said Murape.
Dynamos yesterday shifted their training session to Rufaro and the side still missed Takesure Chinyama and Denver Mukamba who are away in South Africa.
Mukamba is having trials at Bidvest Wits while Chinyama underwent a medical at Orlando Pirates.
The players are, however, expected to arrive back in time for Sunday’s match.
Interclube are scheduled to arrive tonight with a delegation of 31.
Zifa communications manager Nicky Dhlamini said the Angolans had indicated that they will arrive at 9.20pm.
“They have advised us that they are coming tomorrow in the evening.
“The official delegation should comprise 31 people, among them 18 players,” said Dhlamini.
Interclube are coming to Harare after meeting Progresso do Sambizanga on Tuesday at Cidadela Stadium, Luanda City, in the 15th round of the First Division Football Championship (Girabola 2012).
The match had been brought forward due to the fact that Interclube, who are seventh on the Girabola log, will be travelling to Harare.
The Angolan side have 19 points while Recreativo do Libolo with 36 points, are the defending champions and lead the table.
Interclube are not new to Zimbabwe after playing Mwana Africa in the same competition in 2007.
Mwana Africa won 2-0 during the first leg at Rufaro on 3 March before holding on to a 0-0 draw in Luanda.
Interclube reached the semi-finals of the same competition last year and were only denied playing in the final by a goal scored in the 7th minute of stoppage time by MAS of Morocco, who went on to win the Cup.
The Angolans have so far lost both times on their travels only to pull through courtesy of solid home performance.
Online Reporter